😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $745 in Maracaibo versus $713 in Acarigua.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,249 in Maracaibo versus $1,229 in Acarigua.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,753 in Maracaibo versus $1,744 in Acarigua.
🌍Living in Maracaibo is roughly 4% more expensive than in Acarigua, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Maracaibo44% lower, Acarigua47% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Maracaibo
Acarigua
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.59VES 7,784
$12.23VES 8,988
-13.41%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$40.33VES 29.6K
$54.8VES 40.3K
-26.42%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.79VES 6,458
$10.04VES 7,383
-12.45%
Cappuccino
$2.75VES 2,025
$2.59VES 1,907
6.18%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.15VES 844
$1.32VES 969
-12.88%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.30VES 956
$1.02VES 746
27.45%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.20VES 1,614
$1.53VES 1,126
43.79%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.03VES 2,228
$2.93VES 2,157
3.41%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Maracaibo
Acarigua
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.72VES 1,266
$1.82VES 1,340
-5.49%
White Bread(500g)
$2.01VES 1,476
$2.71VES 1,991
-25.83%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.11VES 817
$1.43VES 1,053
-22.38%
Eggs
$3.04VES 2,236
$2.84VES 2,091
7.04%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.90VES 4,335
$9.74VES 7,160
-39.43%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.27VES 3,874
$7.51VES 5,523
-29.83%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.34VES 4,657
$7.60VES 5,590
-16.58%
Apples(1kg)
$4.31VES 3,166
$5.37VES 3,951
-19.74%
Banana(1kg)
$1.37VES 1,007
$1.78VES 1,311
-23.03%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.68VES 1,238
$2.27VES 1,672
-25.99%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.48VES 1,084
$1.97VES 1,451
-24.87%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17VES 861
$2.55VES 1,876
-54.12%
Onion(1kg)
$1.69VES 1,241
$2.08VES 1,528
-18.75%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.99VES 726
$1.31VES 964
-24.43%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.63VES 1,202
$1.95VES 1,435
-16.41%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.44VES 2,529
$3.95VES 2,901
-12.91%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.27VES 6,814
$12.18VES 8,952
-23.89%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.07VES 783
$1.53VES 1,122
-30.07%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.65VES 1,946
$1.97VES 1,449
34.52%
🚌 Getting Around
Maracaibo
Acarigua
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.49VES 358
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$42.21VES 31.0K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.90VES 2,866
$5.12VES 3,764
-23.83%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96VES 1,443
$2.75VES 2,021
-28.73%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$17.73VES 13.0K
$9.92VES 7,289
78.73%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.52VES 380
$0.49VES 359
6.12%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.8KVES 16.8M
$25.2KVES 18.6M
-9.59%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.2KVES 22.9M
$39.6KVES 29.1M
-21.12%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Maracaibo
Acarigua
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$16.36VES 12.0K
$20.45VES 15.0K
-20.00%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.61VES 6,328
$13.09VES 9,622
-34.22%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.41VES 18.7K
$39.32VES 28.9K
-35.38%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Maracaibo
Acarigua
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$34.13VES 25.1K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.62VES 17.4K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.97VES 3,650
$6.01VES 4,418
-17.30%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Maracaibo
Acarigua
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$111VES 81.7K
$134VES 98.8K
-17.36%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.3KVES 10.5M
$5,554VES 4.1M
158.05%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Maracaibo
Acarigua
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.23VES 30.3K
$63.7VES 46.9K
-35.32%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.87VES 30.8K
$38.61VES 28.4K
8.44%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$58.7VES 43.1K
$102VES 75.2K
-42.65%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$59.6VES 43.8K
$117VES 85.9K
-49.01%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Maracaibo
Acarigua
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$181VES 132.7K
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$102VES 75.1K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$327VES 240.4K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$213VES 156.3K
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$763VES 561.2K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$497VES 365.6K
$641VES 470.9K
-22.36%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Maracaibo
Acarigua
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$198VES 145.8K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
26.6
21.33
24.71%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Maracaibo: July 13, 2026
Last update for Acarigua: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🛒Dining out: $40.00 in Maracaibo vs $55.0 in Acarigua for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $220 vs $285 per month, with Maracaibo cheaper across the board.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Maracaibo vs Acarigua: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Acarigua cheaper than Maracaibo?
Acarigua is cheaper overall, especially in Getting Around, Sport & Entertainment. The 4% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,118 in Maracaibo and $1,070 in Acarigua to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do food prices compare in Maracaibo and in Acarigua?
Shoppers in Maracaibo pay roughly 29% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
What are total monthly expenses in Maracaibo and in Acarigua?
All in, you'll spend $745 per month in Maracaibo versus $713 in Acarigua – a 4% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,000 enough for either Maracaibo or Acarigua?
Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Acarigua gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is it better to live in Maracaibo or in Acarigua?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Acarigua gentler on the wallet – expenses run 4% less than in Maracaibo. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.